Creative Director, Brand & Content

Shape how the Smartly brand shows up across campaigns, content, events, digital experiences, and marketing initiatives. Smartly.io is looking for a Creative Director for the Brand & Content team, reporting to the SVP of Brand & Content. This role blends creative leadership, people management, and conceptual thinking to strengthen visual identity and audience connection across touchpoints.

What you’ll do

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of designers, building an environment where people can do their best work and grow their careers
• Create creative concepts and campaigns that support Smartly’s brand and resonate with target audiences
• Deliver clear creative direction and feedback across the full process, from brief through final execution
• Partner with Brand, Content, Product Marketing, Communications, and other stakeholders to turn business objectives into compelling creative solutions
• Increase the quality, consistency, and impact of Smartly’s visual identity across channels and customer touchpoints
• Review and approve creative work to ensure it aligns with strategic objectives, brand standards, and quality expectations
• Develop and refine creative processes, workflows, and ways of working that help the team scale its impact
• Stay current on design, advertising, and cultural trends, bringing fresh thinking and new approaches to the team’s work

What you bring

• Experience leading and developing creative teams, including direct people management responsibilities
• A strong background in graphic design, brand design, visual communication, or a related creative discipline
• Experience as a conceptual Art Director, with a portfolio showing strong campaign thinking and creative problem-solving
• Ability to translate strategy, messaging, and business goals into engaging creative concepts and visual storytelling
• Strong design craft with deep knowledge of typography, layout, visual systems, and brand identity
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders and incorporating feedback from multiple audiences
• Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills
• Capability to balance creative excellence with practical business outcomes
• Consumer-facing brand or B2C marketing experience is preferred, but not required
• Experience in technology, SaaS, or high-growth environments is a plus

Benefits and support

• Five weeks paid time off (PTO)
• 11 company paid holidays
• Unlimited sick days
• Generous healthcare packages & mental health benefits
• 401K with matching & equity grants for all new Smartlies
• Wellness benefits & learning reimbursement opportunities
• Volunteer time off days and company donation matching opportunities
• Annual performance bonus
• Stock options
• Medical/dental/vision insurances
• Retirement savings benefits
• Parental leave
• Life insurance
• Disability benefits

Compensation

$120,000 - $150,000 per year (base pay range). Smartly also provides an annual performance bonus. Final salary is determined based on background, expertise, and experience. Total rewards include stock options, medical/dental/vision insurances, retirement savings benefits, parental leave, 5 weeks vacation, unlimited sick days, life insurance, and disability benefits.

Location: Chicago, IL (onsite)